CHAPTER 448: CHAPTER 292 CONTINUE_2

She lacks the nominal and inherent authority that symbolizes the highest power of the state.

In the noble council, none of those seated are anything but old, top-tier aristocrats with deep roots and long legacies.

They are intricately connected and each has their own agenda. Even if, on the surface, they might abide by the results of this council, would these great nobles, accustomed to operating behind the scenes, truly obey a princess’s orders for long?

Elizabeth is deeply skeptical about this.

Handing over the noble council to Diana might merely be the first move for these great nobles to completely strip the council’s power from the king.

Once the noble council legitimately becomes independent of royal power and forms its own hierarchized power center, what effective constraint could a princess without the king’s title possibly impose on them?

As for the royal princes supporting her, most are powerful High Sequence Transcendents, accustomed to transcending worldly affairs.

For them, a brief isolation or slumber could mean dozens or even hundreds of years.

As long as Diana can maintain surface stability without touching their core interests, why would these old monsters easily cause a ruckus due to the power struggles within the noble council?

After all, the Victoria Kingdom is no longer dictated by the royal family’s absolute command.

In all things, ultimately, so-called rules must be followed.

The seemingly glorious princes and princesses are none of them true victors.

Elizabeth’s heart is crystal clear; the ultimate victor in this power game is the aristocrats filling this Royal Palace Hall, those who silently yet successfully weakened the royal authority.

She took a deep breath, preparing to quietly tell the old king beside her of her judgment.

But in the next moment, her pupils suddenly contracted, and all her thoughts seemed to be instantly frozen.

Her gaze suddenly crossed the crowd, penetrating the thick palace walls, and directly looked toward the Oranck Industrial District.

A faint but clear ripple rose in the depths of Elizabeth’s heart lake.

Months earlier, after learning that Anna was esteemed by Lu Yan, Elizabeth quietly gifted Anna a special sealed object, the Life Circle, to protect her safety at critical times and as a secret connection.

Just now, she clearly felt the Life Circle, which symbolizes protection, being activated—the pure and powerful soul ascension wave along with the unique aura of Extraordinary Power advancement accurately emanated from the direction of the industrial district, crossing spatial barriers into her perception.

Elizabeth knows exactly what this means.

Anna has successfully crossed the boundary, stepping into the ranks of the Seventh Rank.

More importantly, the path Anna has taken was personally pioneered by Lu Yan, the Underworld path.

Anna’s advancement is like a beacon suddenly lit in the black night, announcing a fact.

Lu Yan has returned!

In an instant, the layer of despondency and helplessness in Elizabeth’s eyes due to power slipping away, like mist driven away by the morning sun, dissipated without a trace.

Her spine unconsciously straightened, her gaze regained its sharpness and determination.

She turned to look at her father Charlie, whose eyes were filled with complex meanings. Her voice was soft yet carried undeniable certainty:

"There is only one winner."

Under the gaze of the old king Charlie’s barely concealed astonishment, Elizabeth’s once tightly pressed lips slowly curled into a confident and somewhat challenging smile.

"And that’s me!"

Almost at the moment her voice faded, the palace affairs officer responsible for hosting the ceremony had already approached beneath the high platform in the Royal Palace Hall.

He cleared his throat and, facing the numerous nobles and royal family members of varied expressions in the hall, announced in a solemn and formal tone:

"Regarding the matter of royal succession, after consultations among all parties, it has been decided that Prince Ford shall succeed to the position of king.

Is there any objection from those present?"

This was supposed to be a symbolic inquiry, a mere formality.

After all, following days of fierce bargaining and interest exchange, all parties had already reached a fragile consensus.

To rashly oppose at this juncture would be tantamount to challenging all beneficiaries, inevitably becoming the target of criticism.

However, just as the officer’s voice fell and the air had yet to solidify entirely, a bright and firm voice abruptly resounded throughout the magnificent Royal Palace Hall, clearly reaching the ears of everyone:

"I object!"

All eyes, as if guided by invisible threads, swiftly followed the sound.

Princess Elizabeth, having emerged from the shadows beside the throne, stood at the relative center of the hall.

Her demeanor was calm, her gaze steady and unwavering as she faced numerous eyes filled with amazement, doubt, or scrutiny, and spoke again.

Her voice was not loud, but each word was clear:

"As a princess of the Victoria Royal Family, I should have equal rights to the throne in accordance with the kingdom’s succession law."

After a brief dead silence, a wave of suppressed astonishment erupted in the hall.

"You?" A nearby plump nobleman involuntarily exclaimed, his face full of disbelief.

"Your Highness, are you jesting?" Another voice with a palpable tone of mockery rang out, drawing a few low chuckles of agreement.

"Presumptuous! This matter has already been jointly decided by the royal family and the noble council. How dare a princess like you question it at will?" A royal relative with gray hair reprimanded in a stern voice, his face bearing an angry desire to uphold order.